SUMMER INTENSIVE 2026

Unlike anything you'll ever experience- spend 5 weeks at the historic iO Theater in Chicago, the birthplace of improvisation, learning long form in its greatest incubator from the world's greatest comedy teachers.

The iO Summer Intensive condenses five levels of our curriculum into five weeks. The class meets every Monday through Thursday from 11am to 5pm for five weeks. Each week, you'll work with a different iO teaching artist on a particular level of curriculum. Best of all, the class culminates in a performance here in our theater!

Week 1 is Level 1 – Ensemble – Introduces the basics of agreement, making strong choices, supporting your partner, exploring pattern, heightening, and intro to long-form.

Week 2 is Level 2 – The Performer’s Skill Set – Focuses on advanced character work and exploring environment, using exercises and games designed to take the improviser out of their head and into the character and the world onstage. Object work, physical investment in character choices, wants & objectives, and advanced listening exercises

Week 3 is Level 3 – Scene Work – Extensive work in two-person improvised scenes sharpens listening skills, emotional choices, and investment in the dynamics of a scene, such as status and “game”. Introduction to editing techniques, tag-outs, walk-ons, and further work with iO’s signature form, The Harold.

Week 4 is Level 4 – Long-form – Incorporating skills learned throughout the previous levels, focus is on building character, relationship, and form with emphasis on grounded scene work as the foundation for long-forms.

Week 5 is Level 5 – Form Creation – Applies the skills from Levels 1-4 to create your own piece. The class focuses on the structure, including openings, group games, and scenes. Advanced pattern work, group work, editing, and scene work are used to explore the challenges and magic of long-form. Students have class shows in addition to weekly class sessions.

All Summer Intensive Students will receive an iO Student ID which gets you access to all regular shows for free! It also gets you discount tickets at some other improv theaters in the city. 

For 2026, the Summer Intensive will begin on July 6th and culminate in a performance here at the iO. The program will cost $1800. (Connivence fees are added for purchases made via credit card. If you would like to inquire about paying via mailed check or Zelle to avoid the fee, please email [email protected])

Come learn at the best improv theater in the world all while making new friends in one of the best cities in the world! 

You may make a half payment of $900 to secure your spot. Any tuition payments are non refundable. 

Interested? Want more information?

Please e-mail [email protected] for all questions.